🌸 Intro — Approaching Full Term

Welcome to **Week 36**! 🎉 Your baby is now considered early term and continues gaining weight. Movements are strong and coordinated, and baby may have fully engaged head-down in the pelvis. Mom may feel increased pelvic pressure, frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, and disrupted sleep.

👶 Baby’s Development — Growth & Organs

Your baby is about the size of a **romaine lettuce** (~47–48 cm), weighing ~2.6–2.7 kg. - **Movements:** Strong, coordinated kicks, rolls, and stretches; may visibly shift the belly. - **Body Fat:** Accumulating steadily, smoothing out skin and regulating temperature. - **Lungs:** Nearly fully mature; surfactant is abundant for post-birth breathing. - **Brain & Nervous System:** Advanced development; baby reacts consistently to sound, light, and touch. - **Positioning:** Most babies are now head-down (vertex), preparing for delivery. - **Skin & Senses:** Smooth, pink, responsive to stimuli. - **Digestive System:** Fully prepared to digest milk after birth.

🤰 Mother’s Body & Symptoms

Mom’s body is adapting to a larger, more active baby. **Common experiences:** - 🌸 Belly is prominent; uterus may reach below the rib cage. - 💧 Increased pelvic pressure, back pain, leg cramps, and Braxton Hicks contractions. - 👙 Breasts may leak colostrum; wear supportive bras. - 🌿 Fatigue is common; energy levels fluctuate. - 💤 Sleep may be interrupted due to discomfort, frequent urination, and baby movements. - 🤰 Swelling in feet, ankles, or hands; elevate feet when resting.

🧪 Medical & Prenatal Guidance

Key check-ins for Week 36: - 📋 Routine prenatal visit: weight, blood pressure, fetal heart rate, and growth assessment. - 🩺 Monitor for signs of labor or unusual symptoms. - 📷 Ultrasound (if indicated) to check growth, amniotic fluid, and fetal position. - 🩺 Contact healthcare provider for decreased fetal movement, severe pain, or bleeding.

🥦 Nutrition & Wellness Tips

🧘 Lifestyle & Emotional Wellness

- 🚶 Gentle exercises: walking, swimming, prenatal yoga. - 🛌 Prioritize rest and quality sleep. - 💬 Discuss birth plans and preparations with partner or support system. - 📔 Track baby movements, contractions, and milestones via journal or app. - 🧘 Practice mindfulness, breathing exercises, and meditation to reduce stress and connect with your baby.

💌 Real Mom Story — Pelvic Pressure & Sleep Challenges

"Week 36 was challenging but exciting! Baby’s head is fully down, and the pressure on my pelvis is constant. Sleep is uncomfortable, but I love feeling all the strong kicks and stretches." — Meera, Delhi

✅ Checklist — Pregnancy Week 36

• ✔️ Continue prenatal vitamins daily.
• ✔️ Eat nutrient-rich, balanced meals.
• ✔️ Attend prenatal check-ups and report unusual symptoms.
• ✔️ Track baby movements and contractions.
• ✔️ Engage in gentle, pregnancy-safe exercises.
• ✔️ Avoid unsafe foods, alcohol, and smoking.
• ✔️ Review hospital bag, birth plan, and logistics.
• ✔️ Rest, hydrate, and enjoy baby’s movements and development.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Week 36 is exciting — baby is almost full-term, body continues maturing, and movements are strong. Mom may feel pressure and fatigue, but every movement is a sign of a healthy, thriving baby. 🌸